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HISTORY OF FALMOUTH 5
it from the eastward on the 21st of May of that year, and on the following day landed on the island. opposite, Martha's Vineyard. He proceeded on the 24th to the next islands to which he gave the name of his Queen -- calling them the Elizabeth Islands. He is said to have reached the main land on the 31st, seeking a favorable location for a settlement. Having this object in view it is natural to suppose he would first land on the nearest point of the continent and it is not at all improbable that his first landing was at Wood's Holl. He undoubtedly landed on the main in the vicinity of New Bedford also, but probably not until he had explored and rejected this region for a settlement. He is said to have resolved finally on a settlement at one of the islands because it made his position more secure from the attacks of the natives and actually commenced the building of a fort, but his men revolted and it was abandoned.
It is natural for us here to inquire what was the condition of this township before its occupation by Europeans. I have not been able to find any record of a distinct tribe of aborigines living here. The nearest distinct tribes of which we have any account, were the Herring River Indians about twelve miles to the north, and the Mashpee Indians about the same distance to the east. The New England Memorial mentions the missionary tours of Rev. Mr. observation and undoubtedly correct. A range of hills partly covered with oak forest extends from Woods Hole in a northerly direction the whole length of the township. The rest of the town is uncommonly level, tbe soil being mostly a gravelly loam except in the eastern section which is light and sandy. Its extreme width of coast on a straight line from Wood's Holl to the Mashpee line is about 9:3‑4 miles, and its depth on a straight line from Falmouth Wharf to Hope Spring is 8 miles, 15 rods. The town contains about 45 square miles. Population in 1840, 2516. There is a small discrepancy betweem the census taken by the town and that taken by order of government. The Government census was 2504, but the former taken by our selectmen is undoubtedly correct. The population is divided as follows: East Falmouth to sign post at Tateket 805. North Falmouth to Capt. Walter Davis' and Tateket sign post 556. From Wood's Hole to Tateket sign post 1155. According to the Collections of Mass. Hist. Society the population of Falmouth in 1764 was 1225; in 1776 was 1355; in 1790 was 1657; in 1800 was 1882.
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